The Path of the Crooked (Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 1) (27 page)

“People notice me because I’m big and I’m in a wheelchair,” Eliza finished his thought. There was no bitterness in her tone, but Cooper saw Jed avert his gaze, his face etched with agony.

“I couldn’t risk you, Eliza,” he whispered softly. “You’re my everything. I’ve been out there twisting my mind into knots trying to think of a way to clear this up. I even mailed Brooke’s boss a copy of my report the day I heard about her murder on the news, but I guess he was too scared to show it to anyone.”

Cooper started. “Who’s her boss?”

“Vance Maynard,” Jed said. “I figured he’d want to know if someone was stealing millions right out from under his nose.”

“Unless he was sharing in those millions,” Savannah suggested.

“But wouldn’t someone get wise to that much money comin’ into a bank account?” Ellie asked. “My bank would notice if I started wirin’ them truckloads of cash.”

All the women looked at Jed. He shrugged. “The money could have gone to an offshore account. Even in this day and age, you can hide money obtained by illicit means and still look squeaky clean.”

Unintentionally, Cooper grabbed Jed’s arm. “Vance Maynard just got back from a trip to Switzerland!” She immediately released her grip and returned to her own space, but her voice tripped from her mouth rapid-fire. “And when Nathan and I were searching Brooke’s home office, she was reading a book about offshore investing. The chapter she had marked was on
Swiss bank accounts.”

Jed instantly grew alarmed. “Vance was Brooke’s mentor. She would have invited him into her house without giving it a second thought. He could have shot her and no one would ever suspect him. After all, he’s a charming widower. But doesn’t the man have enough money?” He glanced forlornly at the women in the room. “What have I done? I should have sent the report to the police.”

Eliza took her husband’s face and cradled it in her hands. “It’s not too late. Cooper has the number of the officer in charge of the case and you’ll call him right now. Then you’ll take a nice hot shower, put on some clean clothes, and eat some of Cooper’s homemade raisin bread. While we’re waitin’ on the investigator, you, me, and Ellie will figure out how to make ourselves scarce until there’s enough proof to put the real criminal behind bars.”

“All right, Eliza. We’ll tell the cops, but then we’re leaving.” Jed turned to Ellie. “Do you still have that little cabin in North Carolina?”

Ellie nodded. “I was rentin’ it to the leaf peepers in the fall, but it’s empty as my pocketbook right now.”

“Not for long. I’m going to call that investigator from my office. Eliza, you think about what you want to pack.” Once Jed had left the room, Cooper tried to organize the thoughts swirling around in her brain. She tried to form a picture of Vance Maynard, the handsome philanthropist executive, killing Brooke and then shoving Reed Newcombe off a bridge. She found that she was able to envision Vance in the role of villain with greater ease than she expected, especially when she recalled his false smile and his smooth talking the night of the Little League game. She also remembered the brief but intense anger on his face when he’d spoken to Reed before driving off in his Porsche.

Savannah suddenly stood and Cooper moved to take her friend’s arm. “Are you all right?”

“We should get a move on,” she said and then turned toward Eliza. “We shouldn’t be here when Investigator McNamara arrives. He specifically asked us to stay out of this affair.”

“She’s right,” Cooper added. “Hopefully, Jed’s information will put an end to the entire investigation in any case.” She smiled at Eliza. “I can’t wait to let the other Sunrise members know that Jed’s safe. They’ve been so worried about you both.”

Eliza shook her head. “Please don’t tell anyone about Jed just yet. I’d like for us to be on our way to the cabin before it gets out that my husband didn’t actually run off with some piece of two-bit trash.” She grinned. “It’ll wound my pride somethin’ awful for folks to think that he’s been cheatin’ on me, but it’s better than facing a cold-blooded killer.” She plucked at a loose thread on her sleeve. “It’s not that I don’t have faith in the police, but we’re not brave like you folks. We’re going to crawl under a North Carolina rock until this storm blows over.”

“It won’t be easy, but we’ll keep the happy news about Jed’s return to ourselves,” Savannah promised.

Jed reentered the room and immediately went to his wife’s side. “I’ve called in the cavalry.” He kissed her round cheek and then backed away. “Forgive me, dear. I smell like a barnyard. I’m going to get cleaned up. The police will be here in thirty minutes.” He looked at Ellie in appeal. “Think you can brew us a fresh pot in that time?”

“Do I?” Ellie snorted. “I’ve got more in mind for you than just coffee, Jed Weeks. I’d like to put ten pounds back on your bones before that cop steps foot in this house, but I reckon we should let you ease into mealtime, so we’ll just start with liquids. Go get some soap on your skin. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” She gave Cooper and Savannah brief hugs. “I’m mighty grateful that Eliza’s made such fine friends as a result of this mess,” she said, and then hurried off to start the coffeemaker.

“Ellie’s right,” Eliza cried softly. “How can I ever thank you both? You came to bring me comfort and you ended up finding my husband—and that poor dear man had clearly lost his way.” Eliza put her hands over her heart as she spoke. “And please don’t tell me what you did was nothing. You brought my Jed—my best friend, my truest love—back to me. You’ve taken the darkness from my life and brought me light.”

Savannah smiled. “We were guided by a greater power.” She embraced the larger woman. “Anytime you want to come to church, you have a group of friends to sit beside you. You hear?”

“Thank you,” Eliza whispered and then turned to Cooper. “Can’t I express my gratitude in some way? Please think of something. I’m beggin’ you.”

Cooper paused and then an idea came to her. “How do you feel about dogs?”

“I love them,” Eliza replied, somewhat perplexed. “Jed and I were thinking of adopting one before things got all turned around.”

“I know a sweet dog that really needs a home, but he’s missing a leg. Are you okay with that?”

Eliza thumped her own useless limbs and laughed. “Are you kiddin’? He sounds perfect! We’ll pick him up on the way to North Carolina. I hear there’s a forest filled with squirrels and rabbits where we’re headed.” She winked playfully. “And if that dog’s bum leg keeps him from catchin’ furry creatures, Jed will just shoot ’em in the leg—even things up a bit.”

Cooper laughed uneasily, uncertain whether Eliza was joking or not.

17

Cooper hadn’t spoken to Nathan since they’d exchanged banal chitchat during the Sunrise Bible Study meeting. The evening after discovering Jed Weeks in the woods behind his house, she wanted to tell him about her exciting day, but when she actually picked up the phone, doubt assailed her before she could dial his number. After her experience with Drew, she wanted to be certain Nathan cared for her before she trusted him completely. Cooper decided to wait for him to contact her for a second date, and if he did, she’d assure him that Eliza was well but would keep mum about Jed.

When she returned home from work the next day, the only new message on her answering machine was from Trish, asking Cooper to take her place Saturday morning visiting the Newcombes at Reed’s room in the critical care unit at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. Apparently, Trish needed to show a couple from out of town a dozen houses in a single day. In exchange for Cooper taking over her hospital duties, Trish offered to pay a visit to Rose instead.

“And I’ll stop by Babies ‘R’ Us on the way and bring that little granddaughter of hers a whole shopping cart full of goodies,” Trish added as extra incentive.

Cooper left a message on Trish’s voice mail saying she’d be glad to visit Lynda, though in truth, she hated hospitals and hadn’t been to one since her high school field hockey accident.

Next, Cooper went through her mail, which consisted of bills, catalogues, and coupons for services she would never need, such as outdoor lighting or garage organization. At least her Visa bill was shrinking, though with agonizing slowness.

Glancing out her window, Cooper surveyed the sun-bleached garden and Grammy’s comforter draped over the laundry line. The three-legged dog, soon to be adopted by Eliza and Jed, slumbered in a small circle of shade on the patio. Cooper sighed. The evening stretched before her, and she was feeling more lonely than usual.

In search of distraction, she phoned her sister.

“I was just going to call you.” Ashley sounded pleased to hear from her. “When do you want to go shopping?”

Cooper frowned. Her interest in revitalizing her wardrobe had waned a little. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll wait awhile.”

“For what?” Ashley demanded. “Your clothes are too androgynous. You need some color and style in your wardrobe. And don’t worry, I’m just going to make suggestions. I won’t be pushy, I promise.”

“Yeah, right,” Cooper muttered and instantly regretted taking her dating woes out on her sister. She thought about the camaraderie between Eliza and Ellie and how she’d vowed to spend more time with Ashley. “I’m sorry. I know your intentions are good. Let’s go this weekend. We can have lunch. I need to see someone in the morning, but I’m free after that.”

“Let’s have a pedicure too. Mama told me how vain you’ve gotten about your pretty toes.” Ashley giggled. “I’m thrilled to hear that you’re primping like a real woman. How are things with Nathan?”

Cooper confessed that she had no idea where she stood with Nathan Dexter.

“Don’t fret,” Ashley said. “When you show up for church on Sunday, you’ll be in an outfit that’ll knock his socks off.”

“It might take more than a new dress for me to figure out how he feels,” Cooper said.

“It won’t be the clothes he notices, Coop. It’ll be your confidence,” Ashley explained. “When you feel beautiful on the inside, it shines through. That boy is going to be totally blinded by you! Oh, here comes Lincoln. I should go. See you Saturday.”

As it turned out, Cooper saw Nathan earlier than she had anticipated. He called shortly after Ashley hung up, just as Cooper was dumping a fistful of uncooked linguine noodles into a pot of boiling water. Reaching for the phone with one hand, she upended a small jar of Ragu into a saucepan and set the gas flame on low with the other.

“Hey, you,” Nathan greeted her. “Sorry I haven’t caught up with you in a few days, but I just got a new client—Virginia Credit Union—and have been burning the midnight oil this week. How did things go with Eliza?”

Stirring the meat sauce with a wooden spoon, Cooper reported that Eliza was holding things together with the help of her sweet sister. As she lauded Ellie’s culinary skills and described how clean and organized the Weekses’ house had become, Cooper added some minced garlic as well as fresh basil and oregano from her mother’s herb garden to the pan. She inhaled the savory aroma while Nathan talked about his day. Seeing her smile reflected in the toaster, Cooper knew that the flush on her cheeks had little to do with the fact that she was standing over a pot of bubbling tomato sauce.

“By the way, I switched my volunteer day with Quinton,” Nathan said. “His nephews are in a karate tournament on Saturday so he couldn’t make it to see the Newcombes in the hospital. Maybe we could catch a movie once I’m done there.”

Cooper looked toward the ceiling of her apartment and mouthed,
Thank you.
She then told Nathan that she was taking Trish’s place on Saturday.

“Perfect,” said Nathan. “Now we can go to that matinee we missed last weekend. You still game for that flick about the international espionage ring?”

“Sounds great. I love action movies,” Cooper replied. After hanging up with Nathan, she transferred the steaming noodles from the pot to the colander, and then feverishly dialed Ashley’s number.

“I hope you’re free on Friday,” she hurriedly told her sister. “How about I take you out for a girls’ night instead of our Saturday lunch date?”

“Only if there’s a good reason.” Ashley pretended to be hurt. “You’re going to drag me to one of those burger joints, I just know it. You eat more red meat than a lion.”

“We can eat wherever you want. And I
do
have a good reason.” Cooper told her sister about her previous phone call.

“Sweet mercy!” Ashley cried. “We need to formulate a plan of attack. You’d better leave Thursday
and
Friday open. We’ll do nails, clothes shopping, and find you some decent perfume.” She paused for breath. “And don’t worry about Saturday. I bought the most adorable new pink and green argyle golf sweater and I’m dying to wear it to the club. Now I’ll have the chance to show it off at the Eighteen Holes for Autism Awareness Benefit Game.”

Cooper frowned. “I didn’t know you played golf.”

“I’m not
playing
, silly,” Ashley snorted. “I’m driving around a golf cart filled with coolers of champagne. It’s going to be hot out there, you know, and people’ll write bigger checks after they’ve had a few.”

• • •

“That’s a pretty shirt,” Nathan complimented Cooper after meeting her in the hospital lobby.

Smiling, Cooper repeatedly smoothed down the fabric of her green floral tank top. She was unaccustomed to wearing such a form-fitting shirt and had almost refused to purchase it, but Ashley insisted. Her stylish sister said that it was the perfect accompaniment for the pair of white capris she had convinced Cooper to buy, claiming that their stretch fabric accentuated Cooper’s trim legs.

“I wish I had a sweater,” Cooper said as she and Nathan boarded the elevator for the critical care unit on the fifth floor. “Why are hospitals always so cold?”

“Maybe they’re trying to prevent the germs from multiplying,” Nathan said, pressing the elevator button for the third time. “I have to tell you, Cooper, I’m not very comfortable in hospitals. I never know what to say, and as soon as I arrive, I’m already thinking about when I can leave.”

“I don’t think anyone likes hospitals. I mean, unless you’re having a baby, you’re not really here to celebrate anything.”